The first words uttered by Carmen (Elīna Garanča) mark one of the greatest entrances in the history of opera and express all that need be said: “Love is a rebellious bird that no one can tame”. With a devilish sway of the hips and a hint of Andalusian flair, the beautiful cigar-maker sets her sights on a soldier: Don José (Roberto Alagna). Fate will do the rest... Carmen’s irrepressible freedom, coupled with a need to live ever more intensely on a knife-edge, is present in Calixto Bieito’s contemporary production as in no other. The luxury cast is conducted by Sir Mark Elder.